The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-10-04
OUR FISHERIES.
A Massachusetts Congressman's
View of the Commission.
An Expression OF Distrust Of the
Scheme.
Mr.. Bayard's Free Trade Ideas Ap.
ParentIy Operating.

BosToN, Oct 3.-The journal prints to-
night the following in regard to the new
fisheries commission: "The settlement of
the fishery question is of great interest to
the people of Essex county, and especially
Gloucester. This interest has been increased
by the intelligence that Her Majesty ap-
pointed Mr.. Chamberlain the High Commits
sioner who will act with Sir John Macdon-
aid in effecting permanent settlement of
the whole matter now In controversy.
Knowing the feeling which exists through
out the Seventh Congressional district, rep
resentative of The journal called upon Gen.
eral Cogswell to obtain his method of settle
ment. He said, in response to the first ques-
tion of his visitor, "What is your opinion of
the appointment of Messrs. Putnam and An
gell to the High Joint Commission ON the
Fisheries?'
Prom their reputation have no doubt
men you refer to, but don't know what yoa
mean by the Joint Commission on the Fish,
'"Has not Joint Commission on the
Fisheries been appointed by our government
and Great Britian2"
'"There may have been but don't see the
joint 1t is difficult to know just what has
been done. The Queen says, 4 have agreed
with the President of the United States to
refer to joint commission the difficult ques-
tion, respecting the North American fisher
les which have recently been discussed, and
Mr.. Chamberlain is termed the Principal
High Commissioner who says he is coming
here, and In conjunction with Sir John Mac
donald Is going to protect the interest of
Canada, and he SAYS further that the home
government has ceded to Canada full indie
pendence except in the matter of foreign re-
lations, and in that 1t is always in duty
bound to back up the Canadian view; so
here we have statement from one of the
parties that the English Commissioners are a
part of joint commission to settle the fish
cries question. Now where is the authority
for Mr. Bayard to complete the joint by the
appointment of commissioners from our side
to settle? None whatever that can discov-
er He may appoint or select agents, attor-
neys, counsel &c, to assist. advise and in
form him on matters obtaining to his depart
ment, but to appoint commissioners to sit in
q Joint commission, such as Great Britain
claims has been appointed, iwhere is his au-
th0rlty? Sucn commissioners ON our side
would have no authority to agree to any
thing, to bind anybody, or even to summon
witnesses or administer oaths, or do any
thing else that L can see. The Executive
has power to make treaty, by and with the
advice OF thirds of the Senate; but this
scheme purports to be joint commission, to
settle, fix and determine this question; If so,
1t is delusion and a snare. 1t seems to be
a combination, one part of which has power
to act. and the other part no power at all,
and don't know what to call it better than
AN out of joint commission When you
consider the United States Senate, by an al
most unanimous vote. has once disapproyed
OF any negotiations looking to a commission
to determine treaty ON this matter; that the
last Congress, without regard to party,
adopted, as was its full right, retaliation as
our policy; and, further, that it is
solely in the hands of the legislative
branch to establish the CONNER
cial policy, domestic and foreign, of our
Government, it would seem that the per-.
slstence OF the State Department, in defiance
OF all this could only be explained by its de-,
termination TO force upon us willy nill free
trade in fish. And 1 hope our fishermen
VIII be on their guard and not appear before
any. hybrid combine If opportunity is Of
fered, and give away their case or COM
promise their rights, but rather trust to the
intelligence and patriotism of the American
Congress. which has already shown itself
aliyeito American rights and Interests in
tnls regards1 .Yis s